Shoe assembly

ABSTRACT

Shoe assembly ( 1 ) comprising an upper shoe part ( 2 ), an inner sole ( 3 ), a connecting sole ( 4 ) fixed to the inner sole ( 3 ) and an outer sole ( 5 ), which is fixed to the connecting sole ( 4 ) by means of a manually detachable snap-fit connection, wherein the snap-fit connection comprises first connecting means ( 8 ) provided at and upwardly protruding from the connecting sole ( 4 ), and second connecting means ( 9 ) provided at a free end of an upwardly protruding circumferential rim ( 10 ) of the outer sole ( 5 ) and encompassing the first connecting means ( 8 ), when the outer sole ( 5 ) is fixed to the connecting sole ( 4 ).

The present invention relates to a shoe assembly comprising an uppershoe part, an inner sole, a connecting sole fixed to the inner sole andan outer sole, which is fixed to the connecting sole by means of amanually detachable snap-fit connection.

Such a shoe assembly is known for example from U.S. Pat. No. 4,377,042.This document relates to an athletic shoe having replacement outersoles. Accordingly, the user can adapt the shoe to differentrequirements by changing the outer sole. The connecting sole is athree-layer construction comprising two outer layers of sponge rubberand an intermediate recess-providing part. The recess of therecess-providing part faces sideways and forms a first connecting meansof a snap-fit connection. The outer sole is a one-piece rubber componentand comprises an upwardly protruding circumferential rim. At half heightof the rim there is provided an inwardly and sideways protrudingundercut projection forming a second connecting means of the snap-fitconnection. However, this construction of the snap-fit connection isdifficult and expensive to manufacture. Moreover, the fixation of theouter sole at the connecting sole achieved with this snap-fit connectionis not reliable. When person steps on the upwardly protruding rim of theouter sole, there is a danger that the snap-fit connection will releaseunder additional side forces. For this reason, additionalhook-and-loop-fasteners are provided between the outer sole and theconnecting sole.

Starting from this prior art it is an object of the present invention toprovide a shoe assembly of the above-mentioned kind, which is easy andinexpensive to manufacture and whose snap-fit connection ensures astrong hold between the outer sole and the connecting sole.

In order to solve this object the present invention provides a shoeassembly of the above-mentioned kind wherein the snap-fit connectioncomprises first connecting means provided at and upwardly protrudingfrom the connecting sole, and second connecting means provided at a freeend of an upwardly protruding circumferential rim of the outer sole andencompassing the first connecting means, when the outer sole is fixed tothe connecting sole.

One advantage of the inventive shoe assembly is that this constructionof the snap-fit connection allows a low cost production of the outersole as well as of the connecting sole in one piece, respectively.Moreover—thanks to the provision of the second connecting means at thefree end of the circumferential rim of the outer sole—a safe connectionbetween the outer sole and the connecting sole is ensured, even if aperson steps on the circumferential rim of the outer sole, because thesecond connecting means encompasses the first connecting means fromabove. Accordingly, no additional fixing means between the outer soleand the connecting sole are necessary.

According to one aspect of the present invention the first connectingmeans are provided in the form of an upwardly extending circumferentiallug. This ensures a construction of the connecting sole, which is easyand inexpensive to manufacture.

Preferably, the second connecting means have a hook-shaped cross sectionand face downwards. Thus, a strong hold between the first and secondconnecting means is ensured.

The rim and the second connecting means preferably draw an acute angleof 20 to 45°, in particular of 25 to 35°. This ensures a firm snap-fitconnection such that no additional fixing means are needed to reliablyfix the outer sole to the connecting sole.

According to one aspect of the present invention the material of theconnecting sole is chosen from the group of leather, rubber, plasticmaterial, such as ethylene-vinylacetate (EVA), and combinations thereof.

The material of the outer sole can be chosen from the group of leather,rubber, plastic material, such as EVA, and combinations thereof.

According to one aspect of the present invention the shoe assemblycomprises at least one patch, which is detachably fixed to the uppershoe part, in particular by means of a hook-and-loop fastener. Such apatch may be in the form of a logo, a colored design element or thelike, which affects the optical appearance of the shoe assembly.

Moreover, the present invention provides a shoe assembly set comprisinga shoe assembly according to the present invention and at least onefurther component chosen from the group of an upper shoe part providedwith a connecting sole; an inner sole, an outer sole, a patch orcombinations thereof, wherein said at least one further component isinterchangeable with the corresponding component of the shoe assembly inorder to vary the outer appearance and/or other features of the shoeassembly, such as the resiliency of the outer sole or the like.Preferably, the shoe assembly set comprises a plurality of furthercomponents of the above-mentioned group, which differ from thecorresponding components of the shoe assembly with respect to the form,the color, the material etc. Accordingly, shoes with different opticalappearances and functional features can be assembled by the user using asmall number of single components.

Further features and advantages of the present invention become apparentfrom the following description of a preferred embodiment of a shoeassembly according to the present invention with reference to theaccompanying drawing. In the drawing

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a shoe assembly according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective sectional view of the assembled shoe assemblyshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view of detail III in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the shoe assembly showing the step of fixing anouter sole to a connecting sole; and

FIG. 5 is a side view of a shoe assembly set according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIGS. 1 to 4 show a shoe assembly 1 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. The shoe assembly 1 comprises an upper shoe part 2,an inner sole 3, a connecting sole 4 fixed to the inner sole 3 and anouter sole 5, which is detachably fixable to the connecting sole 4.

The upper shoe part 2 is made of a conventional material, such asleather, textile or the like. It is designed to provide a closed shoe.However, it should be noted that the present invention is alsoapplicable to open shoes, e.g. sandals. The upper shoe part 2 hasclosing means 6 in the form of shoe laces. Alternatively, the closingmeans 6 are provided as hook-and-loop closing means, straps or the like.If the upper shoe part 2 is structured as a slip-on shoe, the closingmeans 6 can also be omitted. The upper shoe part 2 is provided with apatch 7, which serves as a decorative element and is detachably fixed tothe upper shoe part 2 by means of a hook-and-loop fastener, althoughother detachable connections are also possible. The inner sole 3 isfixed to the upper shoe part 2 by gluing, stitching or the like. Thematerial of the inner sole 3 is leather or any other suitable materialknown in the art.

The connecting sole 4 is fixedly attached to the inner sole 3 and/or theupper shoe part 2 by means of gluing, stitching or the like. It is madeof a one-piece rubber component. Alternatively, other materials can beused for the connecting sole 4 such as leather, plastic material, inparticular ethylene-vinylacetate (EVA), etc. The connecting sole 4comprises a first connecting means 8 provided at and upwardly protrudingfrom the connecting sole 4 in the form of an upwardly extendingcircumferential lug. The first connecting means or lug 8 has anessentially triangular cross section, wherein other cross section formsmay likewise be applicable.

The outer sole 5 is formed as a one-piece rubber component. However,alternative materials can be used for the outer sole 5, such as leather,plastic material, etc. The outer sole 5 comprises second connectingmeans 9 provided at a free end of an upwardly protruding circumferentialrim 10. As best shown in FIG. 3, the second connecting means 9 have ahook-shaped cross section and face downwards. The rim 10 and theconnecting means 9 draw an acute angle. The acute angle may be in therange of 20 to 45°, wherein a range of 25 to 35° is preferred.Presently, the acute angle has 30°. The second connecting means 9 of theouter sole 5 and the first connecting means 8 of the connecting sole 4together define a manual detachable snap-fixed connection in order tofix the outer sole 5 to or disengage the outer sole 5 from theconnecting sole 4, as shown in FIG. 4. When the outer sole 5 is fixed tothe connecting sole 4, the second connecting means 9 of the outer sole 5encompass the first connecting means 8 of the connecting sole 4 fromabove, such that a strong hold between the outer sole 5 and theconnecting sole 4 is achieved.

One advantage of the shoe assembly 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 is its easyconstruction due to the chosen structures of the first connecting means8 and the second connecting means 9 forming the snap-fit connection.These structures make it possible to form the connecting sole 4 and theouter sole 5 as one-piece components, respectively, leading to aninexpensive production. Moreover, due to the fact that the secondconnecting means 8 encompass the first connecting means 7 from above, noadditional fixing means between the outer sole 5 and the connecting sole4 are necessary, what also has a positive impact with respect to themanufacturing costs. Furthermore, a safe connection between the outersole 5 and the connecting sole 4 is ensured, even if a person steps onthe circumferential rim 9 of the outer sole 5.

FIG. 5 shows a shoe assembly set 11 according to the present invention.

The shoe assembly set 11 comprises a shoe assembly 1 as shown in FIGS. 1to 4 and at least one further component chosen from the group of anupper shoe part provided with the connecting sole; an inner sole, anouter sole, a patch or combinations thereof, wherein the at least onefurther component is interchangeable with the corresponding component ofthe shoe assembly in order to vary the outer appearance and/or otherfeatures of this shoe assembly 1, such as the resiliency of the outersole or the like. More precisely, the shown shoe assembly set 11comprises in addition to the shoe assembly 1 two further upper shoeparts 2 a and 2 b, which are each provided with an inner sole and aconnecting sole (not shown), one further outer sole 5 a and threefurther patches 7 a, 7 b and 7 c as additional components. Theseadditional components can differ from the corresponding components ofthe shoe assembly 1 with respect to the form, the color, the materialetc. Accordingly, shoes with different optical appearances andfunctional features can be assembled by the user using a small number ofsingle components. Just to give an example, the upper shoe parts 2, 2 aand 2 b have different colors, forms and materials, in order to providee.g. business-shoes, casual shoes and/or sports shoes. The material ofthe inner sole and the connecting sole of the upper shoe parts 2, 2 aand 2 b may vary with respect to the intended function of the shoe. Thepatches 7, 7 a, 7 b and 7 c, which can interchangeably fixed to thehook-and-loop fasteners 12 of the upper shoes 2, 2 a and 2 b, are ofvarious forms, colors etc., wherein the colors are preferably adapted tothe ones of the upper shoe parts and the shoelaces. Moreover, the outersoles 5 and 5 a have different forms, colors and materials. By means ofall of the above-mentioned components, shoes of various looks andfunctions are achievable by different component combinations.

1. Shoe assembly (1) comprising an upper shoe part (2), an inner sole(3), a connecting sole (4) fixed to the inner sole (3) and an outer sole(5), which is fixed to the connecting sole (4) by means of a manuallydetachable snap-fit connection, wherein the snap-fit connectioncomprises first connecting means (8) provided at and upwardly protrudingfrom the connecting sole (4), and second connecting means (9) providedat a free end of an upwardly protruding circumferential rim (10) of theouter sole (5) and encompassing the first connecting means (8), when theouter sole (5) is fixed to the connecting sole (4).
 2. Shoe assembly (1)according to claim 1, characterized in that the first connecting means(8) are provided in the form of an upwardly extending circumferentiallug.
 3. Shoe assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe second connecting means (9) have a hook-shaped cross section andface downwards.
 4. Shoe assembly (1) according to claim 3, characterizedin that the rim (10) and the second connecting means (9) draw an acuteangle of 20 to 45°, in particular of 25 to 35°.
 5. Shoe assembly (1)according to claim 1, characterized in that the material of theconnecting sole (4) is chosen from the group of leather, rubber, plasticmaterial and combinations thereof.
 6. Shoe assembly (1) according toclaim 1, characterized in that the material of the outer sole (5) ischosen from the group of leather, rubber, plastic material andcombinations thereof.
 7. Shoe assembly (1) according to claim 1,characterized in that it comprises at least one patch (7), which isdetachably fixed to the upper shoe (2) part, in particular by means of ahook-and-loop fastener (12).
 8. Shoe assembly set (11) comprising a shoeassembly (1) according to claim 1 and at least one further componentchosen from the group of an upper shoe part (2 a, 2 b) provided with aconnecting sole; an inner sole; an outer sole (5 a); a patch (7 a, 7 b,7 c) or combinations thereof, wherein said at least one furthercomponent is interchangeable with the corresponding component of theshoe assembly (1) in order to vary the outer appearance and/or otherfeatures of the shoe assembly (1), such as the resiliency of the outersole or the like.
 9. Shoe assembly (1) according to claim 2,characterized in that the second connecting means (9) have a hook-shapedcross section and face downwards.
 10. Shoe assembly (1) according toclaim 2, characterized in that the material of the connecting sole (4)is chosen from the group consisting of leather, rubber, plastic materialand combinations thereof.
 11. Shoe assembly (1) according to claim 3,characterized in that the material of the connecting sole (4) is chosenfrom the group consisting of leather, rubber, plastic material andcombinations thereof.
 12. Shoe assembly (1) according to claim 4,characterized in that the material of the connecting sole (4) is chosenfrom the group consisting of leather, rubber, plastic material andcombinations thereof.
 13. Shoe assembly (1) according to claim 2,characterized in that the material of the outer sole (5) is chosen fromthe group consisting of leather, rubber, plastic material andcombinations thereof.
 14. Shoe assembly (1) according to claim 3,characterized in that the material of the outer sole (5) is chosen fromthe group consisting of leather, rubber, plastic material andcombinations thereof.
 15. Shoe assembly (1) according to claim 4,characterized in that the material of the outer sole (5) is chosen fromthe group consisting of leather, rubber, plastic material andcombinations thereof.
 16. Shoe assembly (1) according to claim 5,characterized in that the material of the outer sole (5) is chosen fromthe group consisting of leather, rubber, plastic material andcombinations thereof.
 17. Shoe assembly (1) according to claim 2,characterized in that it comprises at least one patch (7), which isdetachably fixed to the upper shoe (2) part, in particular by means of ahook-and-loop fastener (12).
 18. Shoe assembly (1) according to claim 3,characterized in that it comprises at least one patch (7), which isdetachably fixed to the upper shoe (2) part, in particular by means of ahook-and-loop fastener (12).
 19. Shoe assembly (1) according to claim 4,characterized in that it comprises at least one patch (7), which isdetachably fixed to the upper shoe (2) part, in particular by means of ahook-and-loop fastener (12).
 20. Shoe assembly (1) according to claim 5,characterized in that it comprises at least one patch (7), which isdetachably fixed to the upper shoe (2) part, in particular by means of ahook-and-loop fastener (12).
 21. Shoe assembly (1) according to claim 6,characterized in that it comprises at least one patch (7), which isdetachably fixed to the upper shoe (2) part, in particular by means of ahook-and-loop fastener (12).
 22. Shoe assembly (1) according to claim 2,characterized in that the second connecting means (9) have a hook-shapedcross section and face downwards, and the rim (10) and the secondconnecting means (9) draw an acute angle of 20 to 45°, in particular of25 to 35°.